CONTENTS
This is a most blessed, though short chapter; containing in its bosom some precious views, and precious promises concerning Jesus, and the blessedness of his salvation, amidst the sins, and sorrows; and distresses, which arise out of the fallen state of our nature.
The day here spoken of, is, no doubt, meant to refer to the gospel day. And the beauty of what is here said, will be very striking, if we spiritually consider it. By the law of Moses, if a man married more wives than one, he was obliged to keep the first in food and raiment, Exodus 21:10. But the indulgence of corrupt passions always did, and always will bring with it punishment. What our blessed Lord said, concerning the putting away of a wife, may be equally applied to the taking more than one. It is for the hardness of men's hearts, such things are produced, Matthew 19:7-8. But, dropping the consideration of the subject, as referring to natural causes, we shall have a lovely view of this verse, if we read it in a spiritual sense. Jesus is the husband of his church, which he calls his fair one, his spouse, his beloved! And, as the church at large is made up of innumerable souls, what is here spoken of seven women, means a certain number, put for an indefinite number, to intimate many. Now in that day of gospel grace, when Jesus and his great salvation are revealed to the soul, every poor awakened sinner that hears and knows the joyful sound, shall come to lay hold of Jesus, praying to be called by his name. The eating their own bread, and wearing their own apparel, is in allusion to the law of Moses, before referred to. And precious souls, in their first coming to Christ, are all tinctured with an idea of their doing somewhat to recommend them. Hence the first question, of the jailor at Philippi: what must I do to be saved? Acts 16:30. Longer acquaintance with themselves, and with the Lord Jesus, humbles the soul with such confidences. It is blessed to perceive Jesus in this sweet scripture. I need not add how effectually and fully the reproaches of sinners are taken off, when brought into a state of oneness and union with Christ; when married to him, and he to them. Oh! the blessedness of calling him the Lord our righteousness; and living under him as the husband, the Ishi of his people, clothed with his justifying garment of complete salvation. See Jeremiah 23:6; Hosea 2:16-20; Jeremiah 3:14; Isaiah 54:5, etc.